Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Ford has brought along several custom concepts of its 2014 Transit Connect – 10 to be precise, to the Las Vegas SEMA aftermarket show, but only one really caught our eye, and that's the surprise debut crafted in collaboration with famed toy maker Hot Wheels. This version of the Transit Connect cargo van brings back fond memories from our childhood in a rather cool and grown up way.

Michigan-based custom builder Ice 9 Group worked with designers from Ford and Hot Wheels to materialize the concept that's powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder.

The sporty looking van's body has been widened 4 inches in front and 6 inches at the rear while also gaining functional custom exhaust ports on either side, gullwing doors instead of sliding doors, new front fascia and bumpers inspired by Focus RS, and custom two-tone 20-inch wheels.

Plenty of modifications can be found inside as well, not only up front with the Recaro bucket seats from the Focus ST, but especially at the back where there's a secondary floor installed covering a set of drawers for tool storage, a 55-inch television screen positioned behind the front seats, and two 18-inch tablets and installed in the rear door.

"The idea was to create a race-inspired support vehicle for the average guy to spend a weekend at the track testing his Hot Wheels race car," said Felix Holst, vice president of creative for Mattel Wheels Division.

"The Hot Wheels Transit Connect features an entirely custom, euro-look wide body kit, Rotiform ROC wheels, sleeping quarters and tool storage for living the dream that most of us had playing with Hot Wheels as a child," Holst added. "It even has slide-out drawers to keep your favorite Hot Wheels cars with you at all times."

While you won't be able to buy the real-life size Hot Wheels Transit Connect, you will have the chance to acquire a 1:64 die-cast scale model of the concept in fall of 2014.